EVANSTON, Ill. -- Five high school All-Americans -- including New York State's record holder for goals in a season -- highlight head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller's 2008 signing class. Seven student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the three-time defending national champions beginning in 2009.

Amonte Hiller's class of seven features a quartet of All-Americans from Long Island, N.Y., in Breezey LoManto (Miller Place, N.Y./Rocky Point), Jess Russo (Port Jefferson, N.Y./St. Anthony's), Shannon Smith (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) and Lacey Vigmostad (Northport, N.Y./Northport). Two Massachusetts products, Alex Frank (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) and Maria Tedeschi (Norwell, Mass./Thayer Academy), along with Lizzie Abramson (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) from nearby Wilmette, will join the 'Cats for the 2009 campaign.

"I could not be more excited about the 2008 recruiting class," Amonte Hiller said. "We have signed seven great players that are extremely passionate about the game of lacrosse. This class is exceptionally skilled and athletic, and fits well with the Northwestern style of play. I am looking forward to developing these players and seeing them mesh with our current squad."

Lizzie Abramson
5-5, M
Wilmette, Ill./New Trier

High School: Four-year letterwinner for New Trier Trevians ... Honorable mention All-American ... All-state selection ... Member of All-conference team ... Member of Great Lakes National Team I ... Pioneer Press All-Area ... Team finished third in state in 2007 ... Coached by Pete Collins ... Competed for Northwestern Wildcat Elite club team ... Honor roll student ... Illinois State Scholar ... Also competed in field hockey.

Personal: Born Elizabeth Chorie Abramson on 10/23/89 ... Daughter of Mike and Edith Abramson ... Mother attended Northwestern ... Played with current Wildcats Kendall and Samantha Santulli ... Major is undecided.

Amonte Hiller on Abramson: "It is my pleasure to welcome another local product to our program. Lizzie has breakaway speed and quickness on the field. She can score goals and stop opponents equally as well. We have enjoyed having the opportunity to coach Lizzie on our WEC club team for the past four years. We are looking forward to her joining the Wildcat family."

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Alex Frank
5-7, M
Westwood, Mass./Westwood

High School: Four-year letterwinner for Westwood Wolverines ... Has totaled 168 goals and 105 assists to date ... Registered 73 goals and 29 assists during sophomore year ... Two-time first-team All-America ... Two-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic teams ... Two-time league MVP ... Three-time member of New England Team I ... Team won state championship in 2005 ... Team earned South championship in 2007 ... Five-year member of Mass Elite club team ... Coached by Leslie Frank ... Also participated in soccer and basketball ... Two-time second-team All-league all-star in soccer ... Honorable mention league all-star during junior year in basketball ... Member of National Honor Society ... Honor roll student.

Personal: Born Alexandra Kathleen Frank on 5/1/90 ... Daughter of Leslie and Stuart Frank ... Sister of current Wildcat Meredith Frank ... Attended same high school as two-time Tewaaraton Award winner Kristen Kjellman and current Wildcats Alison Jacobs and Sara Harrington ... Played on same club team as Anna Fiotto and Maria Tedeschi ... Major is undecided.

Amonte Hiller on Frank: "Alex is a tremendous athlete with great skill and knowledge of the game. She has excellent speed and athleticism but her greatest asset is her ability to consistently outwork other players on the field. It is going to be a pleasure to coach her and Meredith together."

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2007-11-20